Vandals extend men's basketball coach Pribble through 2031

From news services

MOSCOW — Following the program's first trip to the NCAA Tournament in 36 years, Idaho men's basketball head coach Alex Pribble has received a three-year contract extension that will keep him under contract with the Vandals through the 2030-31 season.

“I am honored to continue as the men's basketball coach here at the University of Idaho,” Pribble said following Idaho State Board of Education approval of the new contract. “I'd like to thank president Scott Green and athletic director Terry Gawlik for their belief in our staff, and for the support that they have provided throughout this process."

Pribble is entering his fourth season as Idaho head coach. His original five-year deal in Moscow was set to expire in 2028.

The Vandals went 21-15 in 2025-26, its first 20-win season since 2018. The season was capped by a Big Sky Conference Tournament championship, Idaho's first tournament title since 1990, after the Vandals won four games in five days in Boise, including a 77-66 victory over defending champion Montana in the title game. Idaho started the season in style, earning a wire-to-wire victory over rival Washington State in Pullman, to beat the Cougars on their home floor for the first time since 2014.

"When we began this journey three years ago, we wanted to establish a culture that was focused on championship standards on the court, in the classroom, and in the community,” Pribble said. “We recruited incredible young men, who have bought into that vision, and have worked extremely hard to meet and exceed those standards. Over these three years, we have become the number one most improved team in the entire country — culminating in GPA records, a long-standing community mentorship program, and a Big Sky Championship."

Under Pribble, Idaho has been the most improved program in the nation since 2023, climbing more than 150 spots in both the NET and KenPom ranking systems, finishing the 2025-26 season 152nd in the NET, UI's highest season-ending position since the ranking began prior to the 2018-19 campaign.

In 2024-25, Pribble’s second year at the helm, the Vandals win 14 games, their most since 2017, and reached the Big Sky semifinals for the first time in eight seasons with a win over Portland State.

Off the court, Pribble has emphasized building through in-state and local talent, with a focus on high-character players. His staff prioritized recruiting Idaho natives before the 2025-26 season, with five players from the Gem State on the roster for the championship-winning campaign, the most of any Vandal team since 1972. In the classroom, the program posted a team record GPA in consecutive semesters in 2025 and continued the CHAMPS mentoring program, connecting players with local elementary students.

"My family and I love Moscow,” Pribble said. “This community and the university have embraced us from day one, and we are genuinely grateful for the incredible people that we get to do life with.”

According to Idaho officials, the Vandals are one of just 20 schools in the nation to return their entire coaching staff for the upcoming season, with associate head coach Brandon Laird, assistant coaches Matt Jones, Adam Ellis, and Luke Chavez, and video coordinator Kolton Rap all joining Pribble for the 2026-27 campaign. 

Idaho opens its season with an exhibition game on Oct. 10 against Boise State at Idaho Central Arena in Boise. The Vandals open the regular season Nov. 2 at home against George Fox.